By Kristen Yates
After 15 long years Dave Chapman has earned the right to call it quits.
Working long hours week after week to bring the community of Zionsville delicious food, excellent customer service, and a big smile; Chapman thought he was done when the lease on his deli came up for renewal.
When word got out of the closing of Big Dave’s Deli & Meat, at 1225 W. Oak St. Zionsville, the community was in an uproar.
Due to the overwhelming effect of the public the landowner offered Chapman a 6-month extension on his lease. Chapman now has until June to say goodbye to his customers.
“When the community found out about the closing there were petitions trying to keep me open. Even kids that had gone off to college started sending me pictures of them holding cardboard signs saying ‘We’ll Miss You Big Dave,’” Chapman said.
The deli shop has been a staple in the town of Zionsville for the past decade. Customers have let Big Dave’s become a part of their daily routines. Now open seven days a week instead of the usual six Chapman plans to continue his hard work and make sure that his customers know how much he appreciates their constant support, although he is still hoping someone will want to take over the business when he final lease is over.
“I am overwhelmed at the amount of support and love that the community has shown me in these past few months. I am lucky to have this place and very humbled that I will be missed,” he said.
